Name: jennifer
Message: Hello. I have a 100% acetate dress with a 100% nylon lining. Do you think it is possible to dye it? It is also dry-clean. I have read your other answers to dry-clean problems and I might try wetting a bit of the dress that would be hidden if it goes wrong. Many thanks for your help.

No. You can't dye it if it's not washable. If you want to dye a garment, wash it first, and then bother with trying to dye it only if it survives. Dyeing requires extensive and repeated washing.

However, you've got an even bigger problem in that acetate is not readily dyeable. It can be dyed only by boiling for 30 to 45 minutes with disperse dye. See "Dyeing Polyester with Disperse Dyes, at <http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/dispersedye.shtml>, as acetate dyeing is similar to polyester dyeing.

Even a washable dress is unlikely to survive such harsh treatment as being boiled for half an hour! Plus, the cooking pot you use to boil the dress in, which will be very expensive if it is big enough to allow the fabric to move freely, must never be used for food again, because the dye is not food-safe.